ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder in which a chronic imbalance in bone turnover results in an excessive loss of bone mineral and matrix. This renders bone more susceptible to frac ture. Osteoporosis is a major health issue in countries such as the U.S. where it affects as many as 25 million individuals, including about 1 out of 4 women over the age of 60. The complications associated with osteoporosis, such as hip fracture, make this disorder the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S. Each year, about 260,000 American women will suf fer hip fractures as a result of osteoporosis.
